10 LGBTQ TED Talks That Will Fill You with Pride

It’s been another fabulous month celebrating Pride! In Boston Senator Elizabeth Warren joined the Pride March and tens of thousands hit streets all over America. The US may be winding down the pride party, but it’s only just starting in many parts of Europe.

Pride is more than just one big party though. It’s a time to reflect on our history and, with many countries around the world still lacking in equality, safety and basic rights, it’s a time to change the world and be loud and thankful for those who can’t.

There are literally millions of inspiring stories from LGBT communities around the world. These 10 TED talks celebrate the brave, the curious, the adventurous, the change makers, the everyday lives and the stories of LGBT people all over the globe.

1. Starlady: The Real Queen of the Desert I TEDxSydney
Remote Aboriginal communities are the last place you might think a transgender superheroine would find true acceptance. Trans woman Starlady is a youth worker and LBGTI advocate, traveling and working in some of Australia’s most remote and challenging places.

In her fascinating and funny TEDxSydney talk Starlady shares her story of surprise, adventure and finding new family in the desert.

2. Derrick Gordon — Be True I TEDxUMassAmherst
Derrick Gordon talks about April 9, 2014—the historical day when he became known as the first openly gay D1 Men’s Basketball player, making Division 1 NCAA history and global news instantly—and his own story of his sexual orientation. Check out our interview with him here.

3. Joanna Ferrari: Your Secret Self I TEDxMelbourne
JoAnna Ferrari is a vocal advocate for the transgender community. From high power executive living the life,to her coming out and crashing with 79 cents in the bank at 53, JoAnna tells of a journey that almost destroyed her, but ultimately freed her to be who she always was.

4. Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols : LGBT Life Around the World I TEDWomen
As a gay couple in San Francisco, Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols had a relatively easy time living the way they wanted. But outside the bubble of the Bay Area they knew not everyone had it so easy. They set off on a world tour, visiting 15 countries across Africa, Asia and South America in search of “Supergays,” LGBT people doing extraordinary things, some in countries where basic rights are still lacking.

5. Sujatha Rao A call to Legalise homosexuality in India ! (Amending Section 377) I TEDxWalledCityDating British-era rule, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalizes sex work and homosexual acts, punishable by 10 years to life in prison. In her talk at TEDxWalledCity, global health advisor Sujatha Rao takes a stand against the value systems and preconceived notions that prevent marginalized groups from living freely, and calls for an anti-discrimination law to make any act of prejudice a punishable offense.

6. LZ Granderson: The Myth of the Gay Agenda I TEDxGrandRapidsIn a funny talk with an urgent message, LZ Granderson points out the absurdity in the idea that there’s a “gay lifestyle,” much less a “gay agenda.” What’s actually on his agenda?

7. Bisi Alimi: There should never be another Ibrahim I TEDxBerlinNigerian gay rights activist and HIV advocate, Bisi Alimi, tells the story of his best friend, Ibrahim, who died of AIDS while at university. Since Ibrahim’s death, Alimi has made it his mission to spread messages of equality, openness and accessibility for the gay community in Nigeria.

In his talk from TEDxBerlin, Alimi urges us to challenge conservative organizations and speak up for vulnerable groups around the world.

8. Andrew Solomon: How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are. I TEDIn a moving, heartfelt and at times downright funny talk, writer Andrew Solomon gives a powerful call to action to forge meaning from our biggest struggles.

9. James O’Keefe: Homosexuality: It’s about survival. I TEDxTallaghtIn his passionate talk, Dr. James O’Keefe MD shares the story of his son Jimmy telling him he was gay, and gives us a deeply personal and fascinating insight into why homosexuality is indeed a necessary and extraordinarily useful cog in nature’s wheel of perfection.

10. I am HIV-positive. So what? | Avin Tan | TEDxNTULiving with HIV as a Singaporean gay person, Avin Tan has undoubtedly seen his share of obstacles. Since his diagnosis in 2009, Tan has chosen to live a life of purpose, sharing his message of self-acceptance and powerful life lessons with the world.

These are great! The global perspective of LGBTQ rights in the talk with Jenni Chang & Lisa Dazols, and really all of these TEDTalks, sheds a light on how far we’ve come but still have much further to go.